In response to the letter from Denis Christian (July 11), I would beg to differ from his opinion that ice skating is a minority interest.

He may not have encountered many skaters because they all travel to Guildford to enjoy the excellent mixed facilities on offer there.

It may interest Mr Christian to know more than 7,000 people signed the Keep Sussex Skating petition.

Most of these signatures were gathered at the three skating events held at the Brighton Centre.

Had Mr Christian strolled past the Centre at those times, he would have seen the queues of people waiting to go in and witnessed first-hand the sell-out of nearly every session.

Skaters are far from a minority, Mr Christian. They merely have trouble getting their voices heard.

-Penny Hajduk, Lower Bevendean, Brighton